Goodricke 1sts secured a vital first win of the tournament and ended the Vanbrugh 2nds’ 100% Cup record with a deserved 4-1 win on Tuesday.
Having ground out draws against the Halifax 3rds and Langwith 1sts, a convincing victory was just what was needed to kick-start Goodricke’s campaign.
The men in green flew out the blocks in the opening ten minutes and were unfortunate not to go ahead.
Less than five minutes in, Goodricke’s Joe Mann beat the offside trap and poked an effort towards goal which was well saved by Vanbrugh ‘keeper Aaron Hooper. Moments later, a Vanbrugh defensive error allowed striker Dalton Harris to bear through on goal, only for Hooper to keep the scores level again.
The Goodricke pressure proved relentless, with captain Jonathan Gillbanks volleying wide from close range before seeing a free-kick blocked in front of goal. Sam Cottingham then saw his long range shot fizz towards the corner before being cleared off the line.
Vanbrugh then nearly took the lead against the run of play when Mark Williams had his glanced header from a corner also cleared off the line.
Eventually, however, Goodricke’s dominance finally paid dividends when a wicked James Lewis cross from the right was turned in by the unfortunate Charlie Frobisher for an own goal.
The lead lifted Goodricke spirits and unnerved Vanbrugh, who found themselves two goals adrift moments later when Dalton Harris finished off a wonderful team move with a left-footed drill into the bottom corner.
Goodricke nearly added a third just before the break, with Joe Mann coming inches away from a contender for goal of the tournament with a stunning volley which flew inches wide of Hooper’s left-hand post.
The second half started with Goodricke on the offensive again, with Joe Mann beating Vanbrugh captain Jack Coy down the wing and delivering an excellent cross which Fabian Ashurst poked wide.
Despite such a one-sided affair, Vanbrugh, seemingly out of nowhere, mustered a path back into the game when a Liam Craine corner was bundled in by Charlie Frobisher.
Vanbrugh threatened to equalise when Adam Lewis dragged a shot wide and Matthew Potts had a free-kick cleared by Goodricke ‘keeper Tom Neil.
However, any hopes of maintaining their unbeaten record were dashed when a lofted pass from Chris Osborne was brought down brilliantly by Dalton Harris, who powered another left-footed effort into the corner of the net.
With Vanbrugh heads dropping, Joe Mann added a fourth near the end of the game when his daisy-cutter slipped through the outstretched arms of Aaron Hooper.
The scoreline was testament to a Goodricke side that came out with heaps of organised attacking intent, with the attacking midfield trio of Mann, Gillbanks and Ashurst finding plenty of space between the Vanbrugh defence and midfield. Dalton Harris was particularly impressive at outmanoeuvring the Vanbrugh defence and holding up the ball, with a brace wrapping up a stellar performance.
Goodricke captain Jonathan Gillbanks seemed relieved with the victory: “we had to come out and win, and I think we have to win every game from now on [in the group]”, with the midfielder aiming to top the group and avoid the James 1sts in the quarter finals.
The win left the Goodricke 1sts one point off the top of the group at the full time whistle.
Goodricke 1sts XI (4-2-3-1): Neil; Lewis, Olsen, Osborne, Crawley; Boyle, Cottingham; Ashurst, Gillbanks (c), Mann; Harris.
Vanbrugh 2nds XI (4-4-2): Hooper; Glanvill, Williams, Frobisher, Coy (c); Sanderson, Potts, Brennan, Craine; Lewis, Sides.
Vision MOTM: Dalton Harris.